Opening paragraph:
Have you ever wanted to take a screenshot on your Mac but found it difficult to crop out what you don’t want to show? Well, worry no more because we’ve got you covered with this step-by-step guide on how to crop a screenshot on Mac. In this article, we’ll walk you through the entire process from start to finish so that you can easily and confidently crop your screenshots like a pro.
Steps
Step 1: Take the screenshot
Before you can crop a screenshot, you first need to take one. To take a screenshot on your Mac, press Command + Shift + 3. This will capture the entire screen and save it as a file on your desktop. Alternatively, if you only want to capture a specific area of the screen, press Command + Shift + 4. This will turn your cursor into a crosshair that you can drag over the area you want to capture.
Step 2: Open the screenshot
Once you’ve taken your screenshot, open the file by double-clicking on it. This will open it in Preview, which is the default image viewer on your Mac.
Step 3: Select the crop tool
In Preview, click on the “Show Markup Toolbar” button in the top-right corner of the window. This will reveal a toolbar that contains various editing tools, including the crop tool. Click on the crop tool to select it.
Step 4: Choose the area to crop
Click and drag over the area you want to crop. You should see a highlighted area that shows you exactly what will be cropped out. Adjust the size and position of the crop area as needed.
Step 5: Crop the screenshot
Once you’ve selected the area to crop, press the “Crop” button in the toolbar to finalize the crop. The selected area will be removed from the screenshot, leaving only the cropped portion.
Step 6: Save the cropped screenshot
After cropping the screenshot, save the changes by clicking File > Save or by pressing Command + S. If you want to save a copy of the cropped screenshot without overwriting the original, you can choose File > Duplicate instead.
Step 7: Use the keyboard shortcut
If you’re cropping screenshots frequently and want to speed up the process, you can use a keyboard shortcut to access the crop tool directly. To do this, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts and click on “Screenshots” in the left-hand menu. Check the box next to “Show Markup Toolbar” and assign a keyboard shortcut to it.
Step 8: Adjust the crop area after cropping
If you’ve already cropped a screenshot but realize that you need to adjust the area further, you can do so by clicking on the crop tool again. This will reveal the crop area, and you can click and drag on the edges of the crop box to resize it. Once you’ve made the adjustments, click the “Crop” button again to finalize the changes.
Step 9: Use the aspect ratio tool
If you need to crop a screenshot to a specific aspect ratio, you can use the aspect ratio tool in Preview. To do this, select the crop tool and click on the drop-down menu next to “Aspect Ratio”. Choose the ratio you want to use, and then click and drag over the area you want to crop. The crop box will be constrained to the selected aspect ratio.
Step 10: Use the grid tool
If you’re having trouble aligning your crop area with a specific object or element in the screenshot, you can use the grid tool in Preview to help you. To enable the grid tool, select the crop tool and click on the drop-down menu next to “Grid”. Choose the grid option that works best for you.
Step 11: Use the loupe tool
If you’re trying to crop a very small or detailed area of the screenshot, you can use the loupe tool in Preview to zoom in on it. To use the loupe tool, select the crop tool and click on the drop-down menu next to “Loupe”. Choose the magnification level you want to use, and then click and drag over the area you want to zoom in on.
Step 12: Undo your changes
If you make a mistake while cropping a screenshot, you can easily undo your changes by clicking Edit > Undo or by pressing Command + Z. This will revert the screenshot to its previous state, before you made any edits.
Explanation
Cropping a screenshot on Mac is a simple process that can be done using the built-in Preview app. Preview is a powerful image viewer that also includes a range of editing tools, including the crop tool. By following the above steps, you can easily crop your screenshots to show exactly what you want, without including any unnecessary information. Additionally, Preview offers a range of other tools that can help you customize your screenshots, such as the aspect ratio, grid, and loupe tools.
Tips and Tricks
Tip 1: Organize your screenshots
If you take a lot of screenshots, it’s a good idea to organize them into folders so that you can find them easily later on. You can create a new folder for your screenshots by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting “New Folder”.
Tip 2: Use keyboard shortcuts
As we mentioned earlier, using keyboard shortcuts can speed up the screenshot-cropping process. In addition to the “Show Markup Toolbar” shortcut, there are other shortcuts you can use to take screenshots, such as Command + Shift + 4 + Space (to take a screenshot of a specific window) and Command + Control + Shift + 3 (to take a screenshot of the entire screen, including any connected external displays).
Tip 3: Experiment with different tools
Preview’s editing tools offer a range of options for customizing your screenshots. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different tools, such as the aspect ratio, grid, and loupe tools, to find the best results for your needs.
Tip 4: Use Preview for other image editing tasks
In addition to cropping screenshots, Preview can also be used for a range of other image editing tasks, such as resizing, rotating, and adding annotations. Take some time to explore all the tools available in Preview to see what else you can do.
Tip 5: Use third-party screenshot-cropping tools
If you’re not satisfied with the built-in screenshot-cropping tools in Preview, there are many third-party apps available that offer more advanced features. Some popular options include Skitch, Snagit, and Lightshot.
Tip 6: Use the snipping tool on Windows
If you need to take a screenshot on a Windows computer and crop it, you can use the built-in snipping tool. To access the snipping tool, search for it in the Start Menu or press Windows key + Shift + S. Like Preview, the snipping tool offers a range of editing tools, including the crop tool.
Tip 7: Share your screenshots easily
Once you’ve cropped your screenshot, you can easily share it with others by uploading it to a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox and sharing the link. Alternatively, you can copy the screenshot to your clipboard and then paste it into an email or messaging app.
Tip 8: Use screenshots to illustrate tutorials and guides
Screenshots are a great way to illustrate tutorials and guides, as they can provide visual aids that help readers understand the instructions. If you’re writing a tutorial or guide, consider using screenshots to enhance its clarity and effectiveness.
Tip 9: Consider the file format
When saving your cropped screenshots, consider the file format you want to use. JPEG is a good choice if you want to keep the file size small, while PNG is better for screenshots that require high levels of detail.
Tip 10: Don’t include personal information
When taking screenshots, be careful not to include any personal or confidential information that you don’t want to share. Double-check each screenshot before you save or share it to ensure that it doesn’t include any sensitive data.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Cropping Screenshots on Mac
Advantages:
1. Provides a more concise image: Cropping screenshots on Mac allows you to remove unwanted elements in the image and focus on the important details.
2. Saves space: Cropping screenshots on Mac allows for the image to take up less space on your computer. This can be especially useful if you have limited storage space.
3. Improves visual appeal: Cropping screenshots on Mac can help to create a more professional and visually appealing image that can be used for presentations or other projects.
4. Saves time: Cropping screenshots on Mac is quick and easy. This can save time when you need to take multiple screenshots or when you need to edit them quickly.
5. Facilitates social media sharing: Cropping screenshots on Mac enables easy sharing of images on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. It can also be useful for sharing images in emails and messages.
6. Enables better focus for tutorials: Cropping screenshots on Mac can improve the focus of tutorials by highlighting the specific area being discussed. This can help learners have a better understanding of the subject matter.
7. Enables better branding: Cropping screenshots on Mac can be useful for creating company branding images for websites or marketing materials.
8. Provides better security: Cropping personal information out of screenshots on Mac can improve the security of sensitive data that you don’t want to share.
9. Enables better organization: Cropping screenshots on Mac can help you to be more organized by categorizing screenshots based on the content that is relevant to them.
10. Helps gain user trust: Cropping screenshots on Mac can strengthen trust in your brand or website by showing that you are dedicated to presenting a polished and professional image.
Disadvantages:
1. May remove important information: If you are not careful, cropping screenshots on Mac can remove important details that are crucial to your project or presentation.
2. Lowers image quality: Cropping screenshots on Mac can lower the image quality. This can make the image appear blurry or pixelated and diminish its visual appeal.
3. May lead to inaccurate representation: Cropping screenshots on Mac may lead to an inaccurate representation of the original image, which can cause confusion among users.
4. May create a false narrative: Cropping screenshots on Mac can be used to create a false narrative, which can be misleading to viewers or users.
5. May require additional editing: Cropping screenshots on Mac may require additional editing to get the desired result, which can be time-consuming and frustrating.
6. May require specialized software: Depending on the type of image you are working with, cropping screenshots on Mac may require specialized software, which can be expensive or hard to use.
7. May not be as effective as other editing techniques: Cropping screenshots on Mac is not always the most effective editing technique. Other methods like resizing or color correction may be more appropriate in certain situations.
8. May not be suitable for all types of images: Cropping screenshots on Mac may not be suitable for all types of images. Certain types of images may require a more complex editing process.
9. May not work with all file formats: Cropping screenshots on Mac may not work with all file formats, which can limit its effectiveness in certain situations.
10. May not be user-friendly for all users: Cropping screenshots on Mac may not be user-friendly for all users, especially those who do not have experience with image editing software.
FAQ
1. Is it possible to crop a screen shot on a Mac?
Yes, it is possible to crop a screen shot on a Mac. There are various methods you can use to achieve this, which we will discuss below.
2. What are the benefits of cropping a screen shot?
Cropping a screen shot enables you to remove any unwanted parts of the image, making it easier to focus on the important parts. It also helps to reduce the file size of the image, which can be helpful when sharing the image via email or on social media platforms.
3. How do I take a screen shot on a Mac?
You can capture a screen shot on your Mac by pressing the Command + Shift + 3 keys on your keyboard.
4. Can I crop a screen shot before taking it?
No, you cannot crop a screen shot before taking it. However, you can take the screen shot and then crop it using one of the methods we will discuss below.
5. What is the easiest way to crop a screen shot on a Mac?
The easiest way to crop a screen shot on a Mac is to use the Preview app.
6. How do I open a screen shot in Preview?
You can open a screen shot in Preview by double-clicking on the image file. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the image file onto the Preview icon in your Dock.
7. How do I crop a screen shot in Preview?
To crop a screen shot in Preview, simply select the part of the image you want to keep using the rectangular selection tool, and then go to the Tools menu and select Crop.
8. Is it possible to crop a screen shot using keyboard shortcuts?
Yes, it is possible to crop a screen shot using keyboard shortcuts in Preview. Press Command + K to crop the image, and then use the arrow keys to adjust the selection.
9. Can I crop a screen shot using a third-party app?
Yes, there are various third-party apps you can use to crop a screen shot, such as Skitch and Snagit.
10. Is it possible to crop a screen shot using the default screenshot tool on a Mac?
No, the default screenshot tool on a Mac does not include a cropping feature. You will need to use a separate app or tool to crop the screen shot.
11. How do I save a cropped screen shot in Preview?
To save a cropped screen shot in Preview, simply go to the File menu and select Save. You can also use the Command + S keyboard shortcut.
12. Can I undo a crop in Preview?
Yes, you can undo a crop in Preview by going to the Edit menu and selecting Undo. You can also use the Command + Z keyboard shortcut.
13. Can I crop multiple screen shots at once in Preview?
No, you cannot crop multiple screen shots at once in Preview. You will need to crop each image individually.
How to Crop Screen Shot on Mac
Capturing a screenshot is one of the most useful features of your Mac, but sometimes, you need to crop the screenshot to get the right part of the image. Cropping a screenshot on your Mac is easy to do, and there are different methods to choose from. In this article, we’ll show you how to crop a screen shot on your Mac.
Conclusion and Closing
Now that you know how to crop screenshots on your Mac, you can easily capture and edit your own images. With the different methods we’ve covered, you have the flexibility to choose the one that works best for your preferences and needs. Cropping screenshots is a handy tool and can save you time in certain situations.
Now, you can use your Mac’s built-in cropping tools to get the perfect screenshot for your project. With these easy-to-follow steps, you’ll be able to take your screenshot game to the next level. We hope that you found this article helpful. Thank you for reading and good luck with your screen shot editing!
Until next time,